Byggelement's turnkey sustainable production solution
Automated machinery and integrated software are the key for a sustainable production of sustainable products. Byggelement expanded its production with two fully automated and digitalized factories from one turnkey provider, Progress Group, to become the leading company in regards of sustainable building with precast concrete in Sweden. With overall four plants the innovative company is leading the way to a more environmentally friendly and at the same time cost effective and long-lasting way of building in the Nordics.
Innovative goals in a conservative industry
In 2020 the group of companies set two goals for themselves: They want to be the number one, when it comes to an environmental position in terms of the lowest CO2 emissions in the Swedish market and they want to lead the race of automation in the industry. They started with the search for an alternative binder, which is essential for a more sustainable concrete, as cement is the largest contributor of CO2 in precast. Starting with 10 percent now they are at more than 60 percent of alternative binders in their concrete mix. Also, the reinforcement changed. Byggelement switched to suppliers that have the lowest CO2 footprint in Europe. The company only uses green electricity, which comes from wind and hydro power. So, they have zero emissions from the power used. They are leading in transporting precast on railroads for long-distance transports. Testing new binders, finding different ways of production - as the curing time increases with alternative binders - as well as finding the right automation, software, and steel supplier – all this means a lot of investment.
The key for sustainable production is automation and digitalization
Byggelement concluded that these precast products can only be produced fully automated and with a software solution that optimizes the process as productivity goes down due to the longer curing time of the new binders. According to Carl and Tobias they were discussing with various suppliers to find a solution. The aim was to get a high level of automation and a higher level of alternative binders. The best answers as well as the most personal relationship they got from Progress Group.
We found a partner that offered both, the “hardware” (machinery) and the software under one roof with hands-on consultancy and support. We wanted to have a turnkey soluzion.
Tobias Rönje, CEO of Byggelement and Carl Rülcker, Chairman CEO Peab Byggsystem AB